AB1569-PARE WHAT DO PATIENTS KNOW ABOUT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?
Authors: S. Lezhenina, N. Shuvalova, E. Guryanova
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Patient awareness of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contributes to more effective prevention of this disease. It is necessary to study the initial level of knowledge of patients about rheumatoid arthritis and analyze which sections of the educational program need to be studied carefully. Objectives To analyze what patients know about rheumatoid arthritis, and do patients with this nosology want to be trained in various educational programs? Methods A survey of 86 patients with RA of varying severity was conducted. The diagnosis of RA was established according to the (EULAR)/ACR criteria. Patients were divided into 2 groups by age: group 1 - 18-44 years old (young patients, N= 43), group 2 - 45-65 years old (middle-aged patients, N= 43. The study was conducted in the Central District Hospital of the city of Kanash. Questioning was conducted from January to December 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 2 parts: the first part (part A) included 20 questions (2 points were awarded for each correct answer). Questions related to the relationship between the onset of the disease and hypothermia, infection, stress, injuries of the musculoskeletal the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in close relatives. The knowledge of one’s own role in the process of treatment and prevention of RA was assessed. The second part of the questionnaire (part B) consisted of 6 questions. The need for obtaining information about RA and the desire of patients to be trained in various educational programs was studied. It was studied in what format they would like to study (remote or full-time) Survey data was processed in Statistical Analysis Software 15.0. Statistical significance was handled using Analysis of Variation analysis of variance. Results 43.7% of group 1 and 56.8% of group 2 correctly classified rheumatoid arthritis as a disease that occurs predominantly in women. 14.6% of young respondents knew about the role of infection in the occurrence of RA, 32.8% - middle-aged. 52.2% of middle-aged patients, 22.8% of young patients knew about the influence of heredity in the occurrence of the disease. 28.0% of young respondents knew about the negative impact of stress on the onset and course of RA, middle-aged respondents - 58.2%. 21.6% of young respondents were aware of the impact of injuries of the musculoskeletal system on the occurrence of RA compared to 55.3% of middle-aged respondents. The awareness of patients about their own role in the treatment process in group 1 was 4.2%, in group 2 - 5.4%. 10.6% of young respondents and 14.8% of middle-aged respondents consider it possible to prevent RA relapses. 92.1% of group 1 and 89.1% of group 2 expressed the need for additional information about RA. Distance learning was preferred by 80.1% of young patients and 65.7% of middle-aged respondents. 56.9% were not aware of the negative impact of stress on the course of RA. 62.5% did not know about the influence of hereditary factors. 95.2% of respondents underestimate their own role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and 87.3% consider it impossible to prevent RA exacerbations. A positive factor was that 90.6% of the respondents report a need to obtain additional information about the disease. Conclusion It is necessary to actively implement various educational programs, in which more attention should be paid to the prevention of RA and the participation of the patient himself in the treatment process. Training for patients is preferable to be carried out in a distance learning format. Disclosure of Interests None declared